Aircraft History
Built by North American. Delivered to the U. S. Army. Modified in the United States. Ferried overseas via Hawaii to Australia.

Wartime History
During the middle of 1943, assigned to the 5th Air Force, 22nd Bombardment Group, 2nd Bombardment Squadron. No known nickname or nose art. On October 11, 1943 this B-25 flew its first combat mission and was lost on its second mission.

Mission History
On October 20, 1943 took off from Dobudura on training mission. While practicing formation flying over the Dobodura area, this bomber collided with B-25D 41-30604 (which returned safely to Dobodura), its propeller cut off one of this bomber's tail stabilizers and caused it to crash 6km north of Dobudura, killing the entire crew.

Recovery of Remains
After the crash, the remains of the crew were recovered. Postwar, their remains were transfered to the United States and the Philippines for permanent burial.

Memorials
The crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. Three of the crew are buried at Manila American Cemetery, Brown at plot A row 13 grave 110. Johnson at plot A row 2 grave 126. Keane at plot D row 4 grave 158.

Fugler is buried at Grover Cemetery in Marshall, TX. He is also memorialized on the "Old Grover Veterans" memorial in Harrison County, TX. Niemi is buried at Park Cemetery in Marquette, MI. Robey is buried at North Watertown Cemetery in Watertown, NY.

Wreckage
During October 1985, the crash site was located by David Pennefather.

References
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Jason L. Brown
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Wirt A. Johnson Jr
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Peter J. Keane
FindAGrave - Capt Jason L Brown (tablets of the missing)
FindAGrave - 1Lt Wirt A Johnson, Jr (tablets of the missing)
FindAGrave - Virgil D. Fugler, Jr (grave photo, veterans marker photo)
FindAGrave - 2LT Martin R Niemi (grave photo)
FindAGrave - Sgt Samuel R Robey (grave photo)
FindAGrave - Sgt James P. Jordan (burial unknown)
FindAGrave - PFC Peter J Keane (grave photo)
PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-25C Mitchell 41-30573
Revenge of the Red Raiders page 492
Thanks to David Pennefather for additional information

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Last Updated
February 14, 2020